New Presenter For BBC Radio Ulster’s Folk Club

BBC Radio Ulster’s Lynette Fay is to take over as presenter of the station’s long running Folk Club, it was announced today (Tuesday 16 August).

The announcement follows the decision by presenter Colum Sands to leave the programme after over 20 years behind the microphone to concentrate on his music.

Lynette, who covered for Colum for three months earlier this year, will be presenting the programme each Sunday evening from 18 September.

Colum Sands said: “For over 20 years I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of presenting Folk Club. It’s been a wonderful journey, sharing great music, songs and stories with listeners from close to home and all over the world.

“In recent times my own musical travels have taken me in ever widening circles and, like a fiddler in the corner, it’s becoming more difficult to find space and time to give the programme the attention that I’ve always tried to give it and, for that reason, I have decided to step back from presenting Folk Club.”

He added: “I know it’s the right decision but it hasn’t been an easy one, I love the job, and I have made so many good friends along the way. I cannot give enough thanks to the listeners, musicians and BBC colleagues for their friendship, encouragement and support.

“I hope we can all keep in touch and you never know when or where we will meet again. In the meantime, the good news is that Folk Club continues in safe hands with Lynette on Sunday nights.”

Lynette Fay said: “I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of Colum Sands as the presenter of Folk Club. Colum has long been a hero of mine for his understanding and love of traditional and folk music. We are enjoying a local and global resurgence of traditional music and I look forward to ensuring that Folk Club remains an integral part of this. I can’t wait to get started!”

Maggie Doyle, Editor Music and Magazine programmes, BBC Radio Ulster said: “We want to thank Colum for all his work with Folk Club over many years. He is a natural broadcaster who has a deep connection with listeners and has a real appreciation and love of folk music in Northern Ireland and around the world.

“We shall miss him presenting the programme but Colum will always be part of the BBC Radio Ulster family and we really hope to continue to work with him on other projects in the future. Lynette is a great presenter who brings with her a genuine passion for and knowledge of folk music so the programme remains in a safe pair of hands.”

Folk Club is on Sundays on BBC Radio Ulster at 7pm and is available again via the BBC Radio iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk/radio